The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Hand-sewn versus mechanical esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Surg 2013; 257: 238–248.

Published: 9th May 2013

Authors: Honda M, Kuriyama A, Noma H, Nunobe S, Furukawa T

Conclusion

This study included twelve trials of 1407 patients. Use of a stapler did not affect the anastomotic leak rate (odds ratio 1.02, 95 per cent confidence interval 0.66 to 1.59) or mortality (1.64, 0.95 to 2.83), but it did speed up the surgery by a mean of 15min and increase the risk of postoperative anastomotic stricture.

Pubmed Link